Body supported flashlight holder



Feb. 12, 1952 c, M, SEARS 2,585,592

BODY SUPPORTED FLASHLIGHT HOLDER Filed Jan. 9, 1950 INVEN TOR. (MfiZ/VCZ M 94m Patented Feb. 12 1952 BODY SUPPORTED FLASHLIGH'EHOLDEE.

Clarence M. Sears, Ayer, Mass., assignor of onehalf to Cecelia Sears, Ayer, Mass., and one-half to G. Fred Swanson, Providence, R. I.

Application January 9, 1950, Serial No. 137,650

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in body supported flashlight holders and particular- 1y those which are supported at the forward portion of the head for holding the flashlight so as to direct the beam thereof in a convenient location where desired in order to leave both hands free.

The principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a device as above stated, including a base plate adapted to rest directly on the head or other part of the body, and having some means such as a strap for securing the same thereto, said base having an upstanding portion forming a support for a pivotal yoke or Y-shaped flashlight holder which is secured therein, there being a friction means located between the flashlight holder and the upstanding support, and means securing the same together to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the flashlight holder, relative to the base plate,

whereby the flashlight may be moved substantially to any desired position in a vertical plane and on a horizontal axis so as to enable the user to locate the flashlight where desired to direct the beam thereof to the most convenient location.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a device according to the present invention and showing the same substantially as it appears in use;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view illustrating the device holding a flashlight.

In order to carry out the purposes of the invention, there is provided a strip of metal l forming a base plate and having angularly bent ends l2 for the purpose of fitting the head of the user at the forward portion thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The down-turned portions 12 may be provided with cushions M which may be made of rubber, felt, etc.

Bent upwardly from theplate In at the side edges thereof and intermediate the downturned portions l2, there are a pair of straps or the like [6 which are directed inwardly toward each other as at I8 Fig. 2 and then upwardly as clearly shown to form a pair of resilient metal elements which are spaced and parallel to each other. It is to be understood that as so far described, the device is made from a single blanked .out piece of sheet material except for the pads 34. Also, the parts of the upstanding straps l6 which are indicated at l8, are spaced from the base l0 and are provided with slots 20 receiving a flexible strap which serves to hold the device to the head or other member.

The flashlight holder itself comprises a single 'piece of pressed sheet material generally indicated at 24 and bent on the arc of a circle and of a size to resiliently hold a barrel of a flashlight of a conventional size such as is indicated at 26. In addition, this sheet of material is bent as at 28 to form a pair of flat contacting legs 30 so that the flashlight holder is in the form of a yoke or Y-shaped device.

The legs 30 are disposed between the straps l6 as shown in Fig. 2 and between each strap and the legs 38, there is provided a friction washer 32 which may be of rubber, felt, leather, etc. A rivet at 34 secures the assembly together so as to apply a light force on the strap it which will be suflicient to maintain the yoke 24 wherever it is positioned even though it holds the flashlight, and the range of positions of the yoke 24 are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 so that the flash1ight may be adjusted to direct the beam thereof at any desired angular position in a vertical plane. Thus, the beam may be directed straight out front, or down in the lap of the user, when sitting down, or at any place in between so that any ordinary place where light is desired is achieved.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a support, a pair of upstanding straps thereon, a flashlight holding yoke having a portion extending between said straps, washer type friction means interposed between the straps and the yoke, and means providing for pivoting of the yoke relative to the base and against the friction, said yoke pivoting means exerting a compressive action on the washers so that the flashlight will remain where placed.

2. In a device of the class described, a supporting base, straps turned up therefrom in mutually spaced relation, a pivot pin connecting the straps, a flashlight holder having a portion located on the pin between the straps, washers comprising friction means interposed between the straps and the portion of the flashlight holder therebetween and means including the pivot pin exerting pressure on the washers, so that the holder may be angularly positioned and frictionally held in any desired location.

3. In a device of the class described, a base, straps thereon at opposite side edges thereof, said straps being apertured to receive an attaching band, a. band in the apertures, a Y-shaped fiashlight holder having a leg between the straps, friction means between the leg and straps, and pivot means connecting the leg and straps and exerting a compressive action on the straps.

CLARENCE M. SEARS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Adler June 22, 1915 Winslow Jan. 4, 1916 Sears June 2, 1925 Coulter May 11, 1926 Garbs Aug. 5, 1930 Lockaton Dec. 15, 1936 Dial June 25, 1946 Peterson Oct. 3, 1950 

